Former O.C. star Mischa Barton is currently undergoing voluntary psychiatric evaluation, according to a new report.

The British actress, who was pictured looking distressed in her back garden in pictures obtained by TMZ, was reportedly taken to hospital on Thursday.

The actress could be seen leaning over the fence in her back garden and is said to have fallen.

It was reported that police and firefighters arrived to her West Hollywood property after they responded to an emergency call.

Insiders have told the website that Mischa cooperated with the emergency responders and was voluntarily taken to hospital for an evaluation.

Mischa Barton has been hospitalised (Image: Getty)

Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper in The OC

Mischa was placed under psychiatric care in 2009 after threatening to kill herself, and though she was never actually suicidal, she admitted she felt very "depressed" and was struggling to cope with life.

She previously said: "It was a full-on breakdown. It was terrifying. I was never suicidal, I was just overworked and depressed. But one slip of the tongue in a heightened moment and you find yourself in that situation."